Polygonatum roseum SBQE 1310

Dwarf Solomon’s Seal Asparagaceae

A diminutive and rather enchanting Solomon’s Seal from northern Gansu, China, with slender, slightly arching stems carrying small, pendulous, rose-pink bell-shaped flowers in spring. The flowers are notably sweetly scented, making this tiny plant rather more memorable than its modest stature might suggest. It is an excellent choice for the front of a woodland planting, rock garden or a carefully observed spot where its small scale can be appreciated.

Geographic range: Polygonatum roseum has a surprisingly broad Central Asian distribution, occurring from the Altai and Kazakhstan through Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan into Xinjiang, China. It is generally a plant of temperate mountain habitats, with Chinese populations recorded at approximately 1,450–1,900m. 

Collection: SBQE 1310 was collected during the Sino-British Qinghai Expedition, from northern Gansu, China. The collection is associated with the 1997 Sino-British expedition and was subsequently distributed into specialist horticulture. There is, however, an important taxonomic caveat: material circulated under P. roseum SBQE 1310 has been questioned by Polygonatum specialists, with some evidence suggesting that the plant may not be true P. roseum. The collection is therefore best retained under the SBQE 1310 field designation rather than assuming that its identification is completely settled. 

Height: 10–20cm
Spread: 20–30cm
Flowering: May–June
Hardiness: H6 (-20 to -15°C)
Position: Partial shade to shade
Soil: Humus-rich, moist but well drained